Breadcrumbs

Violence

In Arizona, dating violence falls under the Arizona Revised Statute that covers domestic violence (A.R.S. § 13-3601). The statue applies in situations where the victim and defendant was or is a romantic or sexual relationship. (A.R.S. § 13-3601(6)). The factors used to determine whether the relationship was or is romantic or sexual are: (a) type of relationship (b) length of relationship (c) amount of interaction between the victim and the defendant (d) if the relationship is over, the amount of time since the relationship ended

According to A.R.S. § 13-3601(B), A police officer may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe that domestic violence has been committed or if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed the offense (domestic violence)

A police officer can arrest both parties if the police officer has probable cause that both parties independently committed an act of domestic violence. Acts of self defense, as defined in Chapter 4 of Title 13, are not acts of domestic violence.

When an officer responds to a call that domestic violence has been or may be committed, the officer must inform any potential victim in writing of the procedures and resources available to protect the victim. (A.R.S. § 13-3601(J)). These include: (1) An order of protection (A.R.S. § 13-3602) (2) An injunction (A.R.S. § 25-315) (3) An injunction against harassment (A.R.S. § 12-1809) (4) The emergency telephone number for the local police agency (5) Telephone numbers for emergency services in the local community.

Laws are set to protect kids and adults when dangerous instruments are involved. This applies to driving a car as well as to possession of guns. In Arizona, the law states that kids under the age of 18 are not allowed to carry guns. (A.R.S. § 13-3111). This law also provides some exceptions where kids are allowed to have and use a gun under certain restricted conditions. For example, a kid can carry a gun if he or she is with a parent, grandparent, qualified hunter, safety instructor, or qualified firearms safety instructor as long as there is permission from a parent or guardian. When involved in lawful hunting or shooting events or marksmanship practice, kids between the ages of 14 and 18 are allowed to be in possession of a firearm.(A.R.S. § 13-3111). Because there are many exceptions and details in this statute, you may want to read the law or consult a gun expert or
lawyer before actually possessing a firearm.

Deadly Weapons:

Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 13-3101) says that a Deadly weapon is anything that is designed for lethal use, including a firearm.

It is against Arizona law to carry a firearm or any deadly weapon on a school campus. (A.R.S. § 13-3102 (12))

In the State of Arizona, a person under 18 years old CANNOT consent to engage in sexual conduct (A.R.S. § 13-1401).

Under Arizona law, sexual conduct is when a person intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with a person under 18 years of age. Sexual conduct with a minor 15, 16 or 17 years old is class 6 felony. Sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony. (A.R.S. § 13-1405).

It is a defense to a prosecution of A.R.S. § 13-1405 if the victim is 15, 16 or 17 and the defendant is under 19 or attending high school and is no more than 24 months older than the victim and conduct is consensual. (A.R.S. § 13-1407(F)).

If you are a juvenile, and the victim is under 15 years, the county
attorney has the discretion to bring adult charges against you (A.R.S. § 13-501(B)(2)). If the victim is 15 years or older, the county attorney has the option of asking a judge to allow him to bring
adult charges against you.

If a parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, foster parent, teacher, clergyman or priest engages in sexual conduct with a victim that is 15, 16 or 17 years old, the person will be charged with a class 2 felony and the convicted person is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed has been served or commuted. (A.R.S. § 13-1405 (B)).

Sexual assault is when a person intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person without consent of such a person and is a class 2 felony. In the State of Arizona, a person under the age of 18 years old cannot consent to sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact. A first time offense can lead to a prison term from 5.2 to 14 years. (A.R.S. § 13-1406).

Sexual abuse is intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact with any person 15 years of age of older without consent of that person or with any person which is under 15 years of age if the sexual contact involves only the female breast. If the victim is 15 years or older it is a class 5 felony. If the victim is under 15 years of age, it is a class 3 felony. (A.R.S. § 13-1404).

If a juvenile is at least 14 years of age or older and commits a class 3 or higher felony sex offense, the juvenile may be tried as an adult. If a juvenile is 15 or older and commits forcible sexual assault, the juvenile will automatically be tried in adult court. (A.R.S. § 13-501(A)(3)).

An assault is committed any time a person knowingly causes physical injury to another person. It is also any time that someone may feel physically threatened or when someone touches someone else to provoke or insult them. (A.R.S. § 13-1203).

Sometimes assault is classified as a misdemeanor. Aggravated assault is a felony. It is important to know this and to realize that fighting can be illegal. If you are involved in a fight, you could also be charged with disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace.

If you damage property, you will be held accountable. If you recklessly damage property, it is called criminal damage. Criminal damages as defined by Arizona state law (A.R.S. 13-1602A&B) may be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the amount of damage. In many cases you and your parents are responsible for paying for damages.

Defacing property is also considered criminal damages. This includes marking, scratching or painting of property that does not belong to you and without the owner's permission. Painting graffiti is breaking the law.

In Arizona, a 16-year old who spray-painted 32 homes, a half-dozen cars, and various garage doors and fences was tried as an
adult and sentenced to 2 months in jail and 3 years probation. Juveniles who damage the property of others can be placed on probation (either with or without detention) and can be required to pay for damages.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available as a public service to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice. You should consult a trained legal professional for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.